Yet an injury-time Graham Zusi header and a subsequent Aron Johannsson rip overturned that result, freeing Mexico of ignominy, leaving the home team inconsolable and its crowd stunned. It was, perhaps, the most fitting of endings to this strange and twisted World Cup qualifying campaign for the USA. Since February, there were reports of faith suspended and restored in head coach Jurgen Klinsmann as the Americans careened from crisis to recovery, to dominance, to a slip-up, to competence, and finally, to Tuesdays, well, weirdness. Video: What’s your favorite stadium for USA World Cup qualifiers? But for their part, in the end, securing a spot in their seventh consecutive World Cup was fairly straightforward for the Americans, in spite of the inherent trickiness of qualifying from the grueling hexagonal round in CONCACAF. The win over the Canaleros improved the USAs record in the double round-robin, six-team final stage to seven wins, a tie and two losses, easily clinching their third straight hexagonal title — if there were such a thing. The Yanks won six of their last seven games and earned their place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with two games to spare. FIRST 100 YEARS Relive USA’s greatest moments through their 100 year history. Thats what emboldened Klinsmann to travel down to Panama with a seriously threadbare side. He was already without Michael Bradley, Fabian Johnson and Omar Gonzalez because of injuries and Clint Dempsey because of low fitness. But following Fridays 2-0 win over Jamaica, the German coach also sent starters Landon Donovan, Jermaine Jones, Matt Besler and Tim Howard back to their clubs. So the Americans arrived at kickoff with just one probable World Cup starter in Jozy Altidore. The wisdom thereof seemed questionable. Why not nurse that hard-won momentum? Why not run out as much of the first string as possible when its quite clearly in need of more seasoning if it is to become a bona fide contender for the World Cups knockout rounds?

Other than a ball that US defender Brad Evans nearly bundled over his own line before clearing it early and a very late Theo Robinson look, Jamaica forged no real chances. The US, meanwhile, produced a mere handful of only somewhat promising looks, mostly emanating from full debutant Aron Johannsson, before a late offensive burst put the game away. No serious threats to breach Jamaicas goal materialized until Zusi found Alejandro Bedoya up the right in the 77th minute. His low cross was deflected back into Zusis path for the hometown hero to slip past goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr. Some four minutes later, a Jamaican clearance rolled right into the feet of the streaking substitute left back Edgar Castillo, who calmly picked out the wide-open Altidore in front of goal, who doubled the score. That was really all the good news for the Americans on the night though. Bereft of several regulars like wide player Fabian Johnson, central defender Omar Gonzalez and forward Eddie Johnson, not to mention orchestrators Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann had hoped that the drop-off to their replacements would be small. Hed been hammering home the importance of depth and competition for positions for his two years and change in charge, after all. RED, WHITE AND BLUE USA supporters steal the show in win over Jamaica in Kansas City. But Mix Diskerud wasnt able to replicate Bradleys distribution, nor could he establish much of a partnership with Jermaine Jones in central midfield. Ahead of them, Johannsson didnt mesh with a mostly underwhelming Altidore either. With little traffic flowing through Landon Donovan or Bedoya on the wings, the attack lacked the necessary sting to push through an athletic Jamaican side and forge the requisite chances.

CDT, October 15, 2013 Soccer continues its efforts to become the talk of the town or at least having a say in the conversation. It was the U.S. Women’s National Team’s turn to spread the gospel of futbol on Tuesday in Orlando, formally announcing its match Nov. 10 against rival Brazil at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The game will be carried live on NBC. The match between No. 1-ranked Team USA and No. 4 Brazil is the first meeting between the countries in the United States since 2008. The USA won, 1-0, in San Diego. USA coach Tom Sermanni said he expects the game against Brazil to be “very competitive and dramatic,” and “a fantastic way to finish the year off.” The Americans are led by forwards Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan and goalie Hope Solo. Sermanni said Solo has fully recovered from wrist surgery and expects to be at full strength.

MARC USA Hires Jerry Thompson from Ketchum to Expand PR Discipline

Prior to his long tenure at Ketchum, Thompson was VP of Marketing for the Steel Recycling Institute and worked at Burson-Marsteller, another global PR firm. He holds a B.S. in Communication and Journalism from Indiana State University, and his work has been recognized with various industry awards including three PRSA Silver Anvils and one Bronze Anvil. About MARC USA ( www.marcusa.com ) MARC USA is a national full-service integrated marketing communications firm known for creating game-changing business solutions through big ideas, insight and the creative application of new technology. With offices in Chicago, Miami and Pittsburgh, 200 employees and more than $320 million in annual billings, it is one of the largest independent agencies in the country. Services include advertising, strategic planning, research, public relations, social marketing, media planning and buying, interactive marketing, direct and customer relationship marketing and sales promotion. @yahoofinance on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook Related Content Chart Your most recently viewed tickers will automatically show up here if you type a ticker in the “Enter symbol/company” at the bottom of this module. You need to enable your browser cookies to view your most recent quotes. Search for share prices Terms Quotes are real-time for NASDAQ, NYSE, and NYSEAmex when available. See also delay times for other exchanges . Quotes and other information supplied by independent providers identified on the Yahoo! Finance partner page . Quotes are updated automatically, but will be turned off after 25 minutes of inactivity. Quotes are delayed at least 15 minutes. All information provided “as is” for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Neither Yahoo! nor any of independent providers is liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein.